A Brief History of St. Mary's Church
St. Mary's was organized as a mission church of the Diocese of Florida in 1878. The bishop of the Diocese, the Right Rev. John Freeman appointed a committee to raise funds for the erection of the church building. The Bishop outlined architectural plans for the Church from Charles C. Haight of New York. The first service was held in the sanctuary on March 10th, 1879. The Rev. Dr. Aspinwall of New York City officiated at the service. In the following year, the tower and spire were added.
The site on which St. is located was a gift of the Thaddeus David family, and at that time the land was valued at $500. The stained glass windows in the sanctuary, which cost $1,100 when the church was built, were given by the Dore family. They are from the Colgate Studio in New York.
St. Mary's was consecrated March 26th, 1892, by the Right Rev. Edwin Gardiner Weed, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Webb of Philadelphia. The original vessels for Holy Communion are still used in the services today.
St. Mary's was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites in 1979.